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Davies headlines British table tennis squad set for Czech Open

Paralympic champion Rob Davies headlines the British squad set for the PTT Czech Open in Ostrava this week as he prepares to defend his European title later in the month.

Davies won gold in the men’s class 1 singles at the Paralympic Games in Rio last year, to add to his successive European titles in both the singles and team events.

From September 26, the 33-year-old Welshman will battle for the European crown in Laško, Slovenia – but first there is more gold to be won in the Czech Republic.

Yet while he enters the tournament as reigning Paralympic and European champion, Davies is in no doubt of the challenge that lies ahead.

“Training has been going well,” he said. “I’m looking forward to playing some matches.

“It will be a good warm-up for the Europeans – there are some good players in my class including the Italian Federico Falco who beat me in Germany earlier this year so I hope that I get to play him again.

“I’m not at my peak yet but I’m getting there so I’m happy with where I am at the moment.”

Davies will be joined in Ostrava by a squad of eight young British Pathway and Development players including Jack Stockdale, who won gold at this year’s Italian Junior Open.

Romania Junior Open champion Conor McAdam and Alex Bland, gold medallist in the men’s class 7 team event at June’s Spanish Open, are also named, in addition to Craig Allen, Daniel Bullen and Ryan Henry.

Lucie Bouron and Shae Thakker complete the team, with the action in the Czech Republic drawing to a close on Saturday.